#European defence stocks

[trendynewsnow]

Surging European Defence Stocks Amid Trump's Re-election and NATO Funding Shift

Surging European Defence Stocks Post-Trump’s Election Victory European defence stocks are experiencing a remarkable uptick following Donald Trump’s triumphant election as the Republican nominee for the 2024 US presidency and the party’s substantial control of Congress. Investors appear to have interpreted Trump’s historical rhetoric as a precursor to potential shifts in military funding dynamics:…

[beardedmrbean]

Western military powers are running out of ammunition to give Ukraine to defend itself against Russia's full-scale invasion, the UK and Nato have warned.

Adm Rob Bauer, Nato's most senior military official, told the Warsaw Security Forum that "the bottom of the barrel is now visible".

He said governments and defence manufacturers now had to "ramp up production in a much higher tempo".

Ukraine fires thousands of shells every day and most now come from Nato.

The admiral, who chairs Nato's Military Committee, said decades of underinvestment meant Nato countries had begun supplying Ukraine with weapons with their ammunition warehouse already half-full or even emptier.

"We need large volumes. The just-in-time, just-enough economy we built together in 30 years in our liberal economies is fine for a lot of things - but not the armed forces when there is a war ongoing."

UK Defence Minister James Heappey told the forum that Western military stockpiles were "looking a bit thin" and urged Nato allies to spend 2% of their national wealth on defence, as they had committed to do.

"If it's not the time - when there is a war in Europe - to spend 2% on defence, then when is?" he asked.

He, too, said the "just-in-time" model "definitely does not work when you need to be ready for the fight tomorrow".

"We can't stop just because our stockpiles are looking a bit thin," Mr Heappey said. "We have to keep Ukraine in the fight tonight and tomorrow and the day after and the day after. And if we stop, that doesn't mean that Putin automatically stops."

And that meant, he said, "continuing to give, day in day out, and rebuilding our own stockpiles".

"The elephant in the room is that not everyone in the alliance is yet spending 2% of their GDP on defence. That must be the floor for our defence spending, not the ceiling."

He added: "When it comes to the alliance, the US is increasingly looking east and west, and I think justifiably our colleagues in Congress need to see the European powers are spending their 2% to resource Nato equitably."

Swedish Defence Minister Pol Jonson said it was vital for Europe to get its defence industrial base in shape to support Ukraine for the long term.

"Because we're digging pretty deep now into our pockets, into our stocks," he said.

"And in the long run, I think it's crucial that Ukrainians also can procure defence material from the industrial base in Europe. We learned some hard lessons here about scale and volume, not at least when it comes to artillery ammunition."

The UK defence ministry says that since the start of the invasion in February 2022, the UK has given more than 300,000 rounds of artillery ammunition and is committed to giving "tens of thousands more" by the end of the year.

The US state department says that over the same timescale, America has given Ukraine more than two million Nato standard 155mm artillery rounds.

Such is Kyiv's dependence on US ammunition that there are real concerns among Nato allies about the possibility of Donald Trump being re-elected president next year.

They fear that US military support for Ukraine might diminish if Mr Trump were to seek some kind of political settlement with Moscow.

The difficulty is that despite attempts to ramp up production, Ukraine is using the ammunition faster than Western powers can replace it.

Nato and EU countries have agreed various plans to share expertise, agree joint contracts with defence manufacturers, subsidise production as much as they can.

But it appears that they are still struggling to meet the need.

Analysts say that in contrast, Russia appears much more able to gear up its wartime economy to replenish its own stockpiles.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Richard Dawkins

Published: Mar 4, 2023

I’m in New Zealand, climax to my antipodean speaking tour, where I walked headlong into a raging controversy. Jacinda Ardern’s government implemented a ludicrous policy, spawned by Chris Hipkins’s Ministry of Education before he became prime minister. Science classes are to be taught that Māori ‘Ways of Knowing’ (Mātauranga Māori) have equal standing with ‘western’ science. Not surprisingly, this adolescent virtue-signalling horrified New Zealand’s grown-up scientists and scholars. Seven of them wrote to the Listener magazine. Three who were fellows of the NZ Royal Society were threatened with an inquisitorial investigation. Two of these, including the distinguished medical scientist Garth Cooper, himself of Māori descent, resigned (the third unfortunately died). I was delighted to meet Professor Cooper for lunch, with others of the seven. His resignation letter cited the society’s failure to support science against its denigration as ‘a western European invention’. He was affronted, too, by a complaint (not endorsed by the NZRS) that ‘to insist Māori children learn to read is an act of colonisation’. Is there an implication here – condescending, if not downright racist – that ‘indigenous’ children need separate, special treatment?

Perhaps the most disagreeable aspect of this sorry affair is the climate of fear. We who don’t have a career to lose should speak out in defence of those who do. The magnificent seven are branded heretics by a nastily zealous new religion, a witch-hunt that recalls the false accusations against J.K. Rowling and Kathleen Stock. Professor Kendall Clements was removed from teaching evolution at the University of Auckland, after the School of Biological Sciences Putaiao Committee submitted the following recommendation: ‘We do not feel that either Kendall or Garth should be put in front of students as teachers. This is not safe for students…’ Not safe? Who are these cringing little wimps whose ‘safety’ requires protection against free speech? What on earth do they think a university is for?

To grasp government intentions requires a little work, because every third word of the relevant documents is in Māori. Since only 2 per cent of New Zealanders (and only 5 per cent of Māoris) speak that language, this again looks like self-righteous virtue-signalling, bending a knee to that modish version of Original Sin which is white guilt. Mātauranga Māori includes valuable tips on edible fungi, star navigation and species conservation (pity the moas were all eaten). Unfortunately it is deeply invested in vitalism. New Zealand children will be taught the true wonder of DNA, while being simultaneously confused by the doctrine that all life throbs with a vital force conferred by the Earth Mother and the Sky Father. Origin myths are haunting and poetic, but they belong elsewhere in the curriculum. The very phrase ‘western’ science buys into the ‘relativist’ notion that evolution and big bang cosmology are just the origin myth of white western men, a narrative whose hegemony over ‘indigenous’ alternatives stems from nothing better than political power. This is pernicious nonsense. Science belongs to all humanity. It is humanity’s proud best shot at discovering the truth about the real world.

My speeches in Auckland and Wellington were warmly applauded, though one woman yelled a protest. She was politely invited to participate, but she chose to walk out instead. I truthfully said that, when asked my favourite country, I invariably choose New Zealand. Citing the legacy of Ernest Rutherford, the greatest experimental physicist since Faraday, I begged my audiences to reach out to their MPs in support of New Zealand science. The true reason science is more than an origin myth is that it stands on evidence: massively documented evidence, double blind trials, peer review, quantitative predictions precisely verified in labs around the world. Science reads the billion-word DNA book of life itself. Science eradicates smallpox and polio. Science navigates to Pluto or a tiny comet. Science almost certainly saved your life. Science works.

Postscript on the flight out: Air New Zealand think it a cute idea to invoke Māori gods in their safety briefing. Imagine if British Airways announced that their planes are kept aloft by the Holy Ghost in equal partnership with Bernoulli’s Principle and Newton’s First Law. Science explains. It lightens our darkness. Science is the poetry of reality. It belongs to all humanity. Kia Ora!

[ Via: https://archive.is/ehxJ3 ]

==

When you're an authoritarian putting people through inquisitions and threatening their livelihoods, you're not doing science, you're doing ideology... and possibly theology.

And it's reliably the case that there's some gross form of virtuous (neo)racism baked in there somewhere.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Canada will extend a $2.4 billion loan to Ukraine this year to help prop up the embattled country's finances.

The measure is contained in the latest federal budget, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. It builds on Canada's previous fiscal supports for Ukraine, intended to offset the economic devastation wrought by Russia's full invasion of the eastern European country last year.

The budget earmarks $200 million for military equipment and donations. Federal officials acknowledge that most of that money has been spent already; the sum includes the recent donation of heavy tanks. The measure is being backdated on the government's books to the current fiscal year, which ends on March 31.

The Liberal government also has set aside $605.8 million over five years to replenish the Canadian military's stocks of ammunition and explosives — stocks that were drawn down heavily to supply Ukraine. The new budget offers the first clear indication of how deeply in dollar terms the federal government has dug into its existing store of shells and munitions to support Ukraine's defence. [...]

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[ffloorageorge]

Bangladesh hosted the Asia Cup Cricket Tournament in 2000, 2012, 2014 and 2016. There is some environmental protection in law, but it has not been a government priority. Effective tax rates were higher in Britain than France in the years before the French Revolution, twice in per capita income comparison, but they were mostly placed on international trade. In 1901, the Division of Scientific Research was formed, which included the Hygienic Laboratory as well as other research offices of the Marine Hospital Service. The newly founded Peruvian Congress named Bolivar dictator of Peru, giving him the power to organize the military. This, and an ensuing ground invasion, killed nearly every human in the facility, including their father and sister. Some linguists have encouraged the creation of neologisms to decrease the instances of confusion caused by puns. For a while after this, some koi farmers in neighboring states stopped importing fish for fear of infecting their own stocks. Conditions for workers were often poor and exploitative, and local islanders often violently attacked any Europeans who appeared on their island. In 1547, New Granada became a separate captaincy-general within the viceroyalty, with its capital at Santa Fe de Bogota. Because the method relies on antigen rather than viable bacteria, the results are not disrupted by prior antibiotic use. Sir Kay briefly appears in the season 5 opener of Once Upon a Time, where he betrays Arthur and attempts to pull Excalibur out of the stone to rule Camelot for himself. Following the end of the Cold War, defence policy has a stated assumption that the most demanding operations will be undertaken as part of a coalition. Group 1 faxes take six minutes to transmit a single page, with a vertical resolution of 96 scan lines per inch. An additional, more lasting punitive measure taken by the Romans involved expunging Judaea from the provincial name, changing it from Provincia Judaea to Provincia Syria Palestina. Without many refinements, it is best described as rustic, though many holidays are still celebrated with special foods. Many migrant workers racked up debt and depended on the help of charities. The library system also houses original and microfilm collections of Virgin Islands Archives, records, newspapers and other materials. A rapid appraisal survey of Kuy dialects spoken in Cambodia. According to the Black Tie Guide, the peaked lapel and shawl collar are equally authentic and correct, with the latter being slightly less formal. With Salazar gone, Carrera reinstated Rivera Paz as head of state. In 1989, Babangida started making plans for the transition to the Third Nigerian Republic. The Garhajis also have a significant presence in the western and central areas of Sanaag region as well, including the regional capital Erigavo as well as Maydh. Soviet Russia adopted a red flag following the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. Initially, each conference was numbered after the release, and not regular held. Modern surveys in Europe and the United States show red is also the color most commonly associated with heat, activity, passion, sexuality, anger, love, and joy. God is often believed to be the cause of all things and so is seen as the creator and sustainer and the ruler of the universe. Both teams set out to confirm their results by these methods. This was chased away in November by a visit from four British warships, but later returned.

[ebp-brain]

chapter 10 on ao3

1985, London. The wizarding queer art scene revolves around a gallery called the Bent, where conceptual artist Remus Lupin and photographer Sirius Black exhibit their works, and a club called the Bush, where they spend time with Jane and Lily Potter, who work at a nearby heath clinic. Although war with Voldemort was averted, the wizarding world is still simmering with tension. In the face of increasing intolerance and calls for censorship, Remus’ art takes a riskier, more political turn, and he must figure out how to balance self-expression and safety. Also, he might be falling in love with his best friend.

Author's notes on ch. 10:

Part of this chapter deals with legal action being taken against Benjy Fenwick’s porn shop. This was something that really happened in the period, not just with porn shops but queer bookstores more generally. Perhaps the most famous instance of this in Britain was “Operation Tiger.” In 1984, Customs raided Gay’s the Word, a queer bookshop in Bloomsbury founded in 1979. They seized a substantial amount of stock and charged them with importing indecent materials. Graham McKerrow, the co-founder of the London newspaper Capital Gay and a coordinator of the shop’s defense fund, describes what happened next:

“Over the two years following Operation Tiger, Customs detained thousands of volumes of hundreds of queer titles – newspapers, magazines, history, biography, autobiography, politics, sociology, humour, books for young people, health guides, sex guides, counselling guides, books about Aids, contemporary fiction, erotic fiction, drama and poetry – imported mostly from the US and destined for queer, radical and left-wing bookshops, mail order businesses, the Gay Christian Movement and the London International Feminist Book Fair. Customs staff were seizing books and newspapers from the port of Dover on the south coast to Prestwick airport in Scotland. Essentially Gay, a mail order service, was put out of business by Customs’ seizure of its books. None of the other businesses went to court to challenge the seizure notices because they couldn’t afford to, or they had no faith that the courts would give them a fair hearing. Only Gay’s the Word decided it would launch a campaign and ask for donations so it could fight for the right to import books. […]

"When the bookshop declared it would raise the money, go to court and campaign to have Customs’ extensive powers of search and seizure brought into line with police powers, which are supervised by the courts, Customs responded by bringing exactly 100 charges against the nine staff and volunteer directors alleging that they had conspired to import indecent or obscene material, and carrying a penalty of up to life in prison and fines. […]

"The defence campaign hired two co-ordinators, of which I was one, to intensify and expand the campaign but suddenly in June, following a judgment by the European court about the importation of sex dolls and a change of the minister responsible for Customs and Excise, the charges were dropped and 123 titles were returned to Gay’s the Word, and 19 titles that Customs claimed were obscene were sent back to the supplier in the US. Copies of The Joy of Gay Sex were returned to the Gay Christian Movement. None of the books seized from Gay’s the Word was destroyed, no-one was fined or jailed, but there was no compensation either and Customs retains to this day the right to enter any building by force and search and seize any goods liable to forfeiture.”

Here's some more reading on Gay’s the Word:

25th anniversary of the raid on Gay's the Word

Gay's the Word: The little LGBTQ bookstore that refused to be beaten

"Saving Gay’s the Word: the campaign to protect a bookshop and the right to import queer literature" from Queer Between the Covers: Histories of Queer Publishing and Publishing Queer Voices

[superbeans89]

Georgia 18 - 18 Portugal

It’s heartbreak for Os Lobos as they manage a draw with Georgia, missing the penalty kick that would’ve secured their first World Cup victory.

Magnificent in defence, taking offensive chances when they presented themselves, Portugal put Georgia to the sword. Those seeing the first few minutes would’ve written the minnows off, but they fought back, and led their European rivals for a solid 50 minutes of the match.

They didn’t get a win, but a draw is pretty impressive against a team they haven’t beaten since 2005, proving their performance against Wales wasn’t a fluke.

Georgia won’t be happy with this result, as it all but removes their chances of escaping pool play, but Wales and Fiji won’t be underestimating them either any more.

Pool C continues to prove a seething cauldron of rugby. Who graduates from it is still very much up in the air, but no one can deny that Portugal played the game of their lives tonight. A draw isn’t a win, but still a massive effort for a team stocked with part timers.

Hispanic rugby continues to prosper and inspire in modern years.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] A report by LLama Research highlighted that Donald Trump’s second term, often referred to as “Trump 2.0,” could bring heightened volatility to global stock and bond markets. The report highlighted that Trump’s economic agenda, expected to include high public spending, tax cuts, and rising government deficits, could drive up bond yields and create turbulent conditions in financial markets. It said, “Trump 2.0 is likely to bring high public spending, tax cuts, and rising deficits, driving up bond yields and creating volatile conditions in both equity and bond markets”. The report also highlighted that Trump’s spending focus on areas like defence, energy, and artificial intelligence, combined with substantial tax cuts, could provide a short-term boost to equities. However, investors are likely to face inflationary pressure in the bond market, where increased deficits could drive up yields. These policies may spell the end of the dollar’s dominance, as high debt levels and inflationary pressures could eventually weaken the currency. While the dollar may strengthen in the short term, the Federal Reserve’s limited ability to respond, given high inflation and a slowing economy, may lead to a downturn over time. Unlike Trump’s 2016 term, which focused heavily on tariffs and trade deficits, particularly with China, his 2024 agenda is expected to shift toward managing currency dynamics. This shift reflects a more complex economic landscape as major global powers compete for influence and stability. “In 2016, Trump’s policies focused on tariffs and trade deficits, especially with China. In 2024, the focus shifts to currency dynamics, as global powers vie for influence and stability,” the report added. The report estimated that Trump’s fiscal policies could increase the US deficit by as much as USD 7.5 trillion, significantly raising government debt and creating potential risks for bond markets. This surge in US bond yields could attract European capital, putting pressure on central banks to raise interest rates to support their currencies. Rising US yields could thus influence global markets, potentially triggering tighter monetary policies in other countries as they attempt to manage inflationary spillovers from the U.S. economy. The report outlined that Trump’s proposed economic policies could stimulate short-term gains in equities and lead to inflation and high bond yields, which may challenge global markets. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] A report by LLama Research highlighted that Donald Trump’s second term, often referred to as “Trump 2.0,” could bring heightened volatility to global stock and bond markets. The report highlighted that Trump’s economic agenda, expected to include high public spending, tax cuts, and rising government deficits, could drive up bond yields and create turbulent conditions in financial markets. It said, “Trump 2.0 is likely to bring high public spending, tax cuts, and rising deficits, driving up bond yields and creating volatile conditions in both equity and bond markets”. The report also highlighted that Trump’s spending focus on areas like defence, energy, and artificial intelligence, combined with substantial tax cuts, could provide a short-term boost to equities. However, investors are likely to face inflationary pressure in the bond market, where increased deficits could drive up yields. These policies may spell the end of the dollar’s dominance, as high debt levels and inflationary pressures could eventually weaken the currency. While the dollar may strengthen in the short term, the Federal Reserve’s limited ability to respond, given high inflation and a slowing economy, may lead to a downturn over time. Unlike Trump’s 2016 term, which focused heavily on tariffs and trade deficits, particularly with China, his 2024 agenda is expected to shift toward managing currency dynamics. This shift reflects a more complex economic landscape as major global powers compete for influence and stability. “In 2016, Trump’s policies focused on tariffs and trade deficits, especially with China. In 2024, the focus shifts to currency dynamics, as global powers vie for influence and stability,” the report added. The report estimated that Trump’s fiscal policies could increase the US deficit by as much as USD 7.5 trillion, significantly raising government debt and creating potential risks for bond markets. This surge in US bond yields could attract European capital, putting pressure on central banks to raise interest rates to support their currencies. Rising US yields could thus influence global markets, potentially triggering tighter monetary policies in other countries as they attempt to manage inflationary spillovers from the U.S. economy. The report outlined that Trump’s proposed economic policies could stimulate short-term gains in equities and lead to inflation and high bond yields, which may challenge global markets. [ad_2] Source link

[head-post]

Mali investigates Ukraine’s links to African terrorists

The Republic of Mali in West Africa launched an investigation into Ukraine’s co-operation with local terrorist organisations, Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop reported.

Diop expressed confidence that the investigation would be completed soon, as Kyiv had recognised the activities of its intelligence services (Main Directorate of Intelligence, HUR) earlier in Africa. He also promised to make the results of the investigation public.

The investigation started just a few days ago, but I do not think there is much work to be done, as Ukrainian officials themselves openly declare their involvement in terrorist networks, providing them with intelligence, equipment, even claiming that something else would happen.

The minister also recalled that earlier Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso asked the UN Security Council to take action against Ukraine over its support for armed groups in Africa. However, the UN Security Council “remains silent” for an unknown reason, Diop added.

The severing of diplomatic relations between Mali and Ukraine followed statements by Ukraine’s HUR about providing assistance to rebel Tuaregs who attacked a convoy of the Wagner Group, a private military company, and government troops in northern Mali.

In September, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles, concerned about the growing threat of destabilisation in Africa, called on EU countries to reinforce the bloc’s security relations with Africa and the Indo-Pacific region in an effort to restore stability corrupted by the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine in Africa as proxy front against Russia

Bulgarian military expert Valentin Grigorov gave an interview to state media about Ukraine’s involvement in the African continent as part of a proxy war against Russia. He said that the US was using the war-torn country to destabilise Africa by helping local terrorist groups.

HUR’s actions in the region threaten the security not only of Africa but also of Europe as millions of refugees sought to flee countries plagued by regional armed conflicts and coups backed by third parties.

Ukrainian security services are conducting anti-Russian propaganda in Africa, turning the continent into a new battlefield against Russia. Grigorov also noted that the European and Bulgarian media preferred not to cover this issue. The collapse of the USSR led to the flourishing of corruption in Ukraine and the sale of weapons stocks to other countries “without specifying the country of origin,” the expert said.

Ukrainian authorities also cooperated with the PYD, a Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), to conduct covert operations against Russian forces in Syria, Aydınlık reported in September.

Western allies, particularly the US, allegedly use Ukraine as a proxy front to weaken Russia’s influence in Africa. Special services are assisting local terrorist groups, sharing equipment and expertise to destabilise Africa and use the growing global threat of terrorism in geopolitical manipulations.

THE ARTICLE IS THE AUTHOR’S SPECULATION AND DOES NOT CLAIM TO BE TRUE. ALL INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM OPEN SOURCES. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT IMPOSE ANY SUBJECTIVE CONCLUSIONS.

Bill Galston for Head-Post.com

[leprivatebanker]

European shares notch broad-based gains; defence stocks lag

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"TURKISH TOWN TAKEN AFTER HEAVY BATTLE; BIG FORCE CAPTURED," Toronto Star. October 15, 1912. Page 1. ---- City of Tushi Surrenders to the Victorious Montenegrin Troops Who Make Three Thousand Prisoners. --- REPORT THAT OTHER TOWNS HAVE FALLEN ---- Efforts of Powers to Maintain Peace Thought to Be Completely Exhausted. ---- (Sun's Leased W. A. P. Wire.) PODGERITZA, Oct. 14. The Turkish town of Tushi surrendered to the Montenegrins this afternoon. This opens the way to Scutari, where the Turkish forces are said to be concentrating, and on which the Montenegrin troops are now advancing.

After a heavy bombardment, the Montenegrin infantry prepared Assault Tushi under cover of the artillery. A Turkish officer bearing a white flag appeared and unconditionally surrendered the garrison to Crown Prince Danilo. Shortly afterward a deputation of citizens came to the Montenegrin headquarters praying for mercy.

Several guns were found in the defence works, all badly damaged by the Montenegrin fire. The spoils included eight machine guns and seven thousand mauser rifles. The captured garrison numbered 3000 regulars. The prisoners were brought to Podgeritza.

The Montenegrins made a triuniphant entry into Tushi, headed by the crown prince and his staff. Officers Are Killed. CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct. 14. - An official report says that Turkish reinforcements have reached the district of Gusinje and that the troops assumed the offensive, driving back the Montenegrins beyond the frontier, where the fighting continues. Both sides have suffered heavy losses. Major Selaheddin and Major Kiamil Bey were killed.

In an extremely sanguinary engagement near Vrana in which the Turks claimed victory, the Turkish commander, Saad Eddin, was killed. There have been engagements of a minor nature at various points along the Servian frontier.

Pristhinia reports heavy firing in that vicinity on the frontier and regulars and volunteers are hurrying to the front. The council ministers had a sitting today but arrived at no definite conclusion regarding the Balkan situation.

The porte does not wish to be the first to withdraw its representatives, but is unwilling to leave them exposed to unpleasant incidents.

Diplomatic Formalities. LONDON, Oct. 14. An actual rupture of diplomatic relations or a declaration of war by Bulgaria, Servia, Greece or Turkey is still lacking, but it is believed that the efforts of the powers to maintain peace are completely exhausted and that the diplomatic notes passing are mere formalities,

The Bulgarian premier, M. Guechoff, is reported to have said that the note presented yesterday in reply to that of Russia and Austria is not an ultimatum and that Bulgaria has not yet spoken the last word. The general impression, however, is that the countries concerned are only utilizing the diplomatic machinery for the purpose of gaining time to complete their military preparations.

Would Occupy Vrana. Later advices say that Tushi has surrendered to the Montenegrins. Turkish forces to the number of 3,000 crossed the Servian frontier and attacked the town of Ristovatz, near Vanrya, but it is still unknown whether this is a serious movement. It is supposed the object of the Turks is to occupy Vrana and drive a wedge between the Servian and Bulgarian armies to prevent their co-operation in the descent upon Uskup.

The likelihood that peace would be signed by Italy and Turkey had a composing effect on the European bourses. On the London stock exchange it was believed that the worst had been passed and prices today indicated an influx of orders.

Total Losses CETTINJE, Oct. 14. It is officially announced that 3,600 Turks were captured at Tushi. King Nicholas, who had been watching the engagement, entered the fort and hoisted the Montenegrin flag.

The total losses on both sides in this district are given as 1,422 killed or wounded, of which 560 were Turkish soldiers. A colonel and four other officers of the Turkish troops were killed.

It is reported that Vranya, another Turkish town to the north of Scutari, has fallen. Heavy fighting continues at Trabosch.

[beardedmrbean]

Finnish PM Sanna Marin has said Europe is "not strong enough" to stand up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine on its own, and has had to rely on US support.

During a visit to Australia, the leader of the pending Nato member said Europe's defences must be strengthened.

"I must be brutally honest with you, Europe isn't strong enough right now," she said. "We would be in trouble without the United States."

The US is by far the largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine.

Since the start of the war in February, it has committed $18.6bn (€17.7bn; £15.2bn) in support, a research briefing last month by the UK's House of Commons said.

The second largest donor is the European Union, followed by the UK, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy says. But their contributions are dwarfed by those of the US.

And with European countries' military stocks depleting as they supply Ukraine, Ms Marin said more needed to be done to bolster European defences.

Speaking at the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney on Friday, Ms Marin said: "The United States has given a lot of weapons, a lot of financial aid, a lot of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Europe isn't strong enough yet."

She added that Europe must make sure it is "building those capabilities when it comes to European defence, European defence industry, and making sure that we could cope in different kinds of situations".

While in office, US President Donald Trump regularly criticised European countries in Nato for not spending enough on defence.

In 2020, it was estimated the US spent just over 3.7% of its GDP on defence - while the average for Nato's European members (and Canada) was 1.77%.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, many European Union and Nato-member countries have pledged to increase their defence spending.

In February, Germany announced an extra $113bn (£84bn) for their army, and a constitutional commitment to Nato's military spending target of 2% of GDP.

In June, the UK - under then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson - said its defence spending would hit 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade.

All Nato members must commit to 2% to "to ensure the alliance's military readiness," Nato says. And there have been recent calls on Nato members to increase their defence spending to 3% of GDP.

Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, formally applied to join Nato in May. Accession protocols were signed in July, although they are yet to be ratified by all other members.

[militaryleak]

Romania Procures 200 Patriot Advanced Capability-2 Guidance Enhanced Missiles

The Ministry of National Defence welcomes the signing by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) of the joint purchase contract of up to 1,000 Patriot Advanced Capability-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile (PAC-2 GEM-T) missiles for the PATRIOT surface-to-air missile systems that will equip Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain. In this respect, NSPA awarded a contract to COMLOG Company / Germany for the manufacture of missiles in Europe, which will be homologated by an FMS (Foreign Military Sales) type LOA (Letter of Offer and Acceptance) Agreement by the Government of the United States of America. Within this consolidated multinational purchase, which uses the principles of the European Sky Shield Initiative/ ESSI, Romania will procure a number of 200 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles. The Ministry of National Defence requested and obtained the Romanian Parliament’s approval to participate in this joint procurement program, the estimated total cost for the entire package of 200 missiles designated to complete the combat stocks of our armed force being 1.09 billion EUR, without VAT, which includes spare parts, related services and FMS costs.

The Ministry of National Defence welcomes the signing by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) of the joint purchase contract of up to 1,000 Patriot Advanced Capability-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile (PAC-2 GEM-T) missiles for the PATRIOT surface-to-air missile systems that will equip Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain. In this respect, NSPA awarded a contract to COMLOG Company /…

[mariacallous]

Here is one fact that sums up the gap between the promises that Kyiv’s European partners have made to Ukraine and the reality. In March 2023, the EU made the historic decision to deliver a million artillery shells to Ukraine within 12 months. But the number that has actually been sent is closer to 300,000. For all the rhetorical commitments to support Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion “for as long as it takes”, Europe has largely failed.

The price of this complacency is already being paid in Ukrainian blood. According to the armed forces of Ukraine, over the summer of 2023, Ukraine was firing up to 7,000 artillery shells a day and managed to degrade Russia’s logistics and artillery to the point where Russia was firing about 5,000 rounds a day. Today, the Ukrainians are struggling to fire 2,000 rounds daily, while Russian artillery is reaching about 10,000. Artillery isn’t everything, but the disparity speaks to Ukraine’s relative shortage of materiel, evident in other areas such as the number of drones it can field.

Russia is likely to be able to fire about 5m rounds at Ukraine in 2024, based on its mobilised defence production, supply from Iran and North Korea, and remaining stocks. Despite the flippant observation – often made by European officials – that Russia’s economy is the same size as that of Italy, the Kremlin is producing more shells than all of Nato. Meanwhile, Ukraine is unlikely to see any significant increase in supply for some months. This will cede the initiative to the Russians. The Kremlin believes it can win by 2026, and so Putin is in no mood to negotiate or back down.

It does not have to be like this. Earlier this month, the Estonian Ministry of Defence published a white paper detailing the levels of military equipment required to make Ukraine’s defence sustainable and for it to pursue the liberation of the occupied territories by 2025. The Estonians costed the requirements, showing they were well within the bounds of possibility. The issue is not money, but competence in delivery. If the steps to implement these measures are not taken, Ukraine will lose.

Ensuring Russia’s defeat in Ukraine is feasible, but it requires some important steps. First, Ukraine will need a steady supply of weapons to be able to blunt Russian attacks over the first half of 2024. This will require plenty of US support, but also increasing supply from European Nato members, whose backing will be critical as the US election looms in November. Many of the munitions provided since the beginning of the war were purchased from the international market or drawn from stockpiles, and investment in European production has been slow. But as stocks run out, sustaining Ukraine’s war effort depends critically on increasing Europe’s manufacturing capacity.

Second, it is essential that Ukraine corrects the mistakes that led to its failed counteroffensive in 2023. Improving the training of its troops must be the top priority. During the second world war, British forces considered 22 weeks of infantry training the minimum before a soldier was ready to join a unit, where they would then carry out collective training as part of a battalion. Ukrainian troops are lucky to get five weeks of training, while collective training is rarely carried out above the scale of the company. European Nato must expand and extend the training support provided in order to give Ukrainian units a wider tactical repertoire, and more importantly expand the scale at which the army can command and synchronise operations.

Persistent inflation and economic shocks, like the disruption to global shipping from Houthi missile attacks in the Bab al-Mandab, mean that among European countries, making a long-term economic commitment to Ukraine will be a domestic political challenge. But that is to ignore its potential upsides. Investment in defence production, rather than relying on purchases from abroad, comes with significant levels of domestic industrial investment and with the potential for expenditure to be recovered through increased tax receipts.

There are good security reasons to invest in domestic production, too. A failure to do so now could leave European leaders needing to deter a fully mobilised Russia without stockpiles or the capacity to replenish them. Meanwhile, a simultaneous escalation in the Indo-Pacific in 2025 could cause the US to shift a range of critical military capabilities – aerial refuelling, logistics, air defences – to deter China, leaving Europe significantly exposed.

For Ukraine, the immediate future is one of several months of hard fighting without critical resources, while endeavouring to regenerate the combat power that was expended over 2023. But Europe can determine what the second half of 2024 and indeed 2025 will look like. This is a war that can be won. The recent successful strike on the Russian landing ship Novocherkassk in harbour, protected by layers of Russian defences, shows how Ukraine can make effective use of the equipment that it is supplied with. But European security must not be squandered by more complacency.

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Ultimate Protection Gear: Elite Keepers Shop

More than simply talent and quick reflexes are needed to protect the internet. The last line of defence on the soccer field, the keeper, needs durable safety equipment to stay at the top of their game and reduce the chance of injury. We'll go into the realm of goalkeeper-specific protective equipment with an emphasis on Elite Keepers Shop, a paradise for soccer's shot blockers.

Elite Keepers Shop: A Trusted Name

When it comes to protecting goalkeepers, Elite Keepers Shop has established itself as a name you can trust. This specialized store caters to goalkeepers' needs by offering an array of high-quality protective gear. Their product range is tailored to ensure that goalkeepers can perform at their best, while staying safe on the field.

Worldwide Express Shipping

One of the standout features of Elite Keepers Shop is its commitment to providing top-notch protection gear service. They offer worldwide express shipping, making their products accessible to goalkeepers around the globe. So, whether you're guarding the net in New York or New Delhi, you can have your protective gear delivered right to your doorstep.

Product Categories

The Elite keeper offers two primary product categories that cater to the needs of goalkeepers, Goalkeeper Gloves and Protective Gear. In this blog, we'll put the spotlight on their protective gear, a crucial component of every goalkeeper's kit.

Protection Gear: The Key to Safety

Goalkeepers are subjected to unique physical challenges on the field. The Protection Gear category at Elite Keepers Shop features a range of essential items designed to minimize injury risk and maximize performance. Among the options available, two products stand out:

Elite Sport BaDS* Compression Leggings

Priced at an attractive €39.95 (on sale from €49.95), these compression leggings are a fantastic addition to any goalkeeper's arsenal. They offer high-density padding in all the right places, providing crucial protection where it's needed the most. Goalkeepers can confidently dive, slide, and leap to make those crucial saves, knowing their legs are well shielded. The two reviews on the product page attest to its quality and effectiveness.

Elite Sport BaDS* Compression Shorts 

For those looking for protection without compromising on agility, the Elite Sport BaDS* Compression Shorts 7mm are a perfect choice. Priced at €39.95 (on sale from €49.95), these shorts offer top-notch protection without restricting your movements. The 7mm padding ensures that you stay safe, even during the most intense moments on the field. With one review backing their effectiveness, these shorts are a clear winner.

Free Shipping for EU Countries

Elite Keepers Shop is currently running a special promotion. Order protective gear for €79.95 or more, and you'll be eligible for free shipping within the European Union. This is a fantastic opportunity to stock up on high-quality protective gear and save on shipping costs while you're at it.

Why Protection Gear Matters

Protective gear is an indispensable component of a goalkeeper's kit. It not only reduces the risk of injuries but also boosts confidence and performance. Here's why investing in reliable protection gear is a smart move:

Injury Prevention: Goalkeepers are susceptible to various injuries, especially in high-impact situations. Protective gear, such as compression shorts and leggings, helps cushion the body, reducing the risk of bruises, cuts, and abrasions.

Confidence Boost: When a goalkeeper knows they're well-protected, they can focus entirely on the game. This peace of mind translates to better performance and more daring saves.

Enhanced Performance: Modern protection gear is designed to provide maximum safety without compromising agility and flexibility. This means goalkeepers can move freely, dive with confidence, and execute precise saves.

Longevity: Quality protection gear is built to withstand the rigors of the game. Investing in durable gear can save you money in the long run, as you won't need to replace it as frequently.

 Provide Top Quality

Elite Keepers Shop's commitment to providing top-quality protective gear for goalkeepers is commendable. With worldwide express shipping, a user-friendly website, and a special promotion for EU customers, they make it easier for goalkeepers to access the protection they need.

The Elite Sport BaDS* Compression Leggings and Compression Shorts 7mm are shining examples of the quality products available in their Protective Gear category. These items don't just protect; they enhance a goalkeeper's performance and confidence, making them essential additions to your kit.